Gattuso Wants a Fearless Azzurri

Faced with a World Cup salvage job, new coach wants players who're willing to make sacrifices

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MILAN - Gennaro Gattuso said he is "not afraid" as he begins his reign as Italy coach on Sept 5 with the visit of Estonia and a contested fixture with Israel, as he bids to stop the Azzurri from missing out on a third consecutive World Cup.

The Italians are at risk of not qualifying for the 2026 Finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico after a troubled start to their campaign in June which cost Luciano Spalletti - already under pressure from a dismal European title defence - his job.

Gattuso, who was not Italy's first-choice option and has a spotty coaching record at club level, has a mountain to climb ahead of his first match as national coach in Bergamo.

Italy are nine points behind Group I leaders Norway after their first two qualifiers, one of them a 3-0 thumping at the hands of Erling Haaland and company.

Only top spot in the group offers automatic qualification to the World Cup and even though Italy have played two fewer games than Norway, their chances of finishing first look slim.